Vegan eats meet Canberra

Whether you’re a well-seasoned herbivore or just wanting to road test some cruelty-free options, Canberra has a lip-smacking spread of vegan offerings that will leave even your carnivorous friends begging for more. To take the guess work out of your hunt for meat and dairy-free offerings in the capital, here’s our picks.

Au Lac, Royal Vegetarian Cuisine, Dickson

For Buddhists, “Au Lac” symbolises the ancestral kingdom of the Vietnamese people - a peaceful and treasured place. Since swinging its doors open in 2000, Au Lac has cemented its reputation amongst Canberra’s vegan lovers by serving some of the freshest, healthiest cuisine in the capital. The Au Lac spring rolls are finger-licking good.

Kith and Nosh, Braddon

One of Lonsdale Street’s newest offerings, Kith and Nosh draws inspiration from Canberra’s swag of local produce to deliver a menu focussed on mindful and healthy eating, with vegetarian, dairy-free, vegan and paleo options aplenty. With a deli out the front, you can purchase fresh bread from Three Mills Bakery, plus local olives, coffee and spreads. Try the oven baked polenta wedges topped with mushroom, cauliflower & pumpkin ragout, toasted hazelnuts, sage and cashew cream for a vegan gastronomic delight.

Banana Leaf, Canberra

Traditional Sri Lankan offerings have been tempered with Indian, Arab, Malay, Moor, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences at Banana Leaf. Its menu has a healthy spread of vegan dishes – try the Sri Lankan style rice and curry, the ever-popular String Hoppers or Pittu – all of which are sure to impress even the most discerning herbivores amongst us.

Sweet Bones, Braddon

Boasting a rustic, rock ‘n roll vibe, Sweet Bones is a vegan cafe and bakery in hipster Braddon where “no frills wholefoods” rule the menu. The food is inventive, cruelty free and most of all, delicious. Owners Emily and Russell Brindley source as many local and organic ingredients as possible and most items can be made gluten free. The Burrito Bowl (home-made Mexican beans, brown rice, queso, corn salsa, grilled veggies, house made EmBones’ salsa and marinated kale) must be consumed to be believed.

Ottoman Cuisine, Barton

For a more special night out, dine in an elegant, art deco pavilion surrounded by water, gardens, water features and palm trees – right in Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle. Serving Canberrans top-shelf Turkish cuisine for decades, choose from hallmark Ottoman offerings like the zucchini puffs or chargrilled spicy mushrooms. Leave room for to-die-for traditional Turkish jellies infused with rosewater for dessert.

Local Press Cafe, Kingston

Forever brimming with humans for good reason, Local Press Cafe is a wholefoods based cafe committed to producing and providing fresh, natural, honest foods and cold pressed juices. With an ethos of healthy living and clean eating, the menu features vegan options galore, and most other meals can be transformed into a vegan dish. The Beet Fritters and the Daal by Dhaval with tandoori tofu are seriously scrumptious.

Kinn Thai, Canberra

Located smack bang within Canberra’s central business district, Kinn Thai’s menu offers a pleasing selection of vegan-friendly dishes. Try their golden tofu or chilli green peppercorn eggplant and you won’t be disappointed.